Portales police car in crash

October 13, 2008

PNT Staff Report

A Portales police car was involved in an accident Sunday evening.

Capt. Lonnie Berry said Officer Lee Ferguson had turned on his lights and siren in pursuit of a vehicle that ran a red light in front of him at the intersection of First and Main streets. Ferguson was headed north on Main.

A small, two-door vehicle, headed west on First Street struck the police car on the passenger side, Berry said.

Berry said Ferguson was accompanied by his wife, who was an approved ride-along passenger. She was taken to Roosevelt General Hospital, treated and released. No other injuries were reported.

Police are required to “use due caution” when pursuing vehicles for traffic violations, Berry said, and must continue to do their jobs when a ride-along passenger accompanies them.

The accident occured at 8:35 p.m.

The police car had “pretty substantial damage” to the passenger-side door, Berry said.

Berry said he did not know when the last accident involving a police care had occured.

Ferguson has been with the Portales Police Department about six months, Berry said.